Greg Duke announces a second run at Sanford Bishop’s seat
Duke, a Republican, lost badly to Bishop in the 2014 election
Greg Duke on Friday announced he would challenge veteran congressman Sanford Bishop for his Second District seat in November. It will be Duke’s second challenge of Bishop. (Staff Photo: Terry Lewis)
By Terry Lewis
ALBANY — Citing the degradation of family values in the United States, Leesburg’s Greg Duke announced Friday he would challenge veteran congressman Sanford Bishop for the District Two seat Bishop has held for more than two decades.
Duke said his goal was to become just the second Republican to hold the seat in the heavily Democratic district. The only Republican to hold the seat was Richard H. Whiteley from 1870 to 1875.
This is Duke’s second run at Bishop’s seat, after losing by nearly 20 percent in 2014.
“We’ve got to get our priorities straight in the country — God, family and country. These values are currently under attack,” Duke said. We are being marginalized. The family is being redefined and we seem to be placing more emphasis on concern for illegals than American citizens. It is the basic duty of a country to define and defend its borders.
“The Democrats are looking to replenish their voter pool with these illegals.”
Duke then took a swipe at Bishop.
“Our current congressman has been in office for the past 24 years and has never written any legislation of note,” Duke said. “We need to stand on principals, not party. Our enemies are no longer afraid of us.”
Duke said if elected he would defend the sanctity of life.
“No money for Planned Parenthood,” he said. “I promise you I will stand sternly for the sanctity of life.”
So what did Duke learn from his unsuccessful challenge to Bishop two years ago?
“I learned there is a lot to overcome for a Republican to be elected in a heavily Democratic District,” he said. ” But I think it’s important that my vision for America and the values of my campaign be heard.”
Duke was also hampered by a lack of fundraising in 2014. Bishop raised more than $1 million for his campaign while Duke, according to available figures raised nearly $17,000 — although he said it was closer to $20,000. Regardless it was a lesson learned.
“The truth is I didn’t get my face out in in public enough,” Duke said. “I promise I will run a much more aggressive campaign this time around.”
Related Articles
Dawson’s $10.2 million sewer project leaves major financial questions unresolved
As Dawson’s finance director resigns and operating pressures mount, records show $10.2 million in sewer funding, frozen loans, missing audits and gaps in the public accounting of project money.
As assessments climb, DCSS signals sizable millage cut
As Dougherty County property owners react to sharply higher reassessed values, school officials say the Dougherty County School System expects to substantially reduce its property tax rate for the ninth consecutive year.
FACT VS. ALLEGATION: What Lee County superintendent contracts and state records actually show
After months of fierce public criticism and the Board of Education’s June 22 renewal of its superintendent’s contract, the Albany Herald obtained LCSS contracts behind the controversy to separate fact from allegation — giving Lee County residents the transparency and clarity the public debate deserves.
